Desert ImagingDigital Mammography

Full Field Digital Mammography

At Desert Imaging, we are all about Mammography. We only use full field digital mammography which is the Gold Standard because the image quality is unsurpassed. At Desert Imaging, all 3 stand alone locations and all our MOM Units, (Mammos on the Move, Mobile Mammogam Coaches) use Hologic Selenia.

Insurance

Most insurances cover mammography at 100%, no cost to you. The diagnostic mammogram, however, will be charged the copayment or the deductible.

What is the difference between a screening mammogram and a diagnostic mammogram?

Screening mammogram

A screening mammogram is comprised of 4 images, 2 of the right breast and 2 of the left. The screening images can show the radiologist if the breast is free of calcifications or mass structures. The radiologist can tell if the mammogram is normal (negative) or benign (may have cysts, masses, or calcifications that are not suspicious).

Diagnostic mammogram

A diagnostic mammogram is needed if the radiologist needs to take a closer look at cysts, masses, or calcifications that look suspicious. These diagnostic images can help the radiologist tell if something is malignant or not. If they are still questionable, a biopsy might be ordered to look directly at the tissue.

What you should know about

HENDA'S LAW

What is Henda's Law & how does it affect my mammogram?

Henda's Law is the informal name for a House Bill passed by Texas Legislature that requires mammography providers to inform women that dense breast tissue can affect the accuracy of a mammogram in detecting breast cancer.The bill was initiated by Henda Salmeron, whose breast cancer went undetected because routine mammograms did not pick up the cancerous tumors hiding behind her dense breast tissue. Women, like Henda, who have dense breast tissue may benefit from supplemental screening.

Do I have dense breast tissue?

Breast density refers to the amount or ratio of fibroglandular to fatty tissue. As a woman ages, fibroglandular tissue is replaced by an increase in fatty tissue and thus making breast cancer more readily visualized on a mammogram.

How will this affect my annual exam?

If a physician notices you have dense breast tissue, additional exams such as ultrasound may be ordered to rule out the possibility of any hidden tumors. However, it is important that you know insurance may not cover these additional screenings at 100%.

BIRADS

The American College of Radiology (ACR) came up with a standard way to describe mammogram findings and results. In this system, the results are sorted into categories numbered 0 through 6. This system is called the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS). Having a standard way of reporting mammogram results lets doctors use the same words and terms, which can help ensure better follow up of suspicious findings. These categories are used in the official report that goes to your doctor. Different wording may be used in the letters sent to patients. Here’s a brief review of the categories:

This means a possible abnormality may not be clearly seen or defined and more tests are needed, such as the use of spot compression (applying compression to a smaller area when doing the mammogram), magnified views, special mammogram views, or ultrasound.
This may also suggest that the mammogram should be compared with older ones to see if there have been changes in the area over time.

Negative

There’s no significant abnormality to report. The breasts look the same (they are symmetrical) with no masses (lumps), distorted structures, or suspicious calcifications.

Benign (non-cancerous) finding

The radiologist describes a finding to be benign, when he/she sees benign, non malignant, structures such as, calcifications, lymph nodes in the breast, benign cysts or calcified fibroadenomas. This ensures that others who look at the mammogram will not misinterpret the benign finding as suspicious. This finding is recorded in the mammogram report to help when comparing to future mammograms.

Probably benign finding – Follow-up in a short time frame is suggested

The findings in this category have a very high chance (greater than 98%) of being benign (not cancer). The findings are not expected to change over time. But since it’s not proven benign, it’s helpful to see if the area in question does change over time.
Follow-up with repeat imaging is usually done in 6 months and regularly after that until the finding is known to be stable (usually at least 2 years). This approach helps avoid unnecessary biopsies, but if the area does change over time, it still allows for early diagnosis.

Suspicious abnormality – Biopsy recommended

Findings do not definitely look like cancer but could be cancer. The radiologist is concerned enough to recommend a biopsy.

Highly suggestive of malignancy – Biopsy recommended

The findings look like cancer and have a high chance (at least 95%) of being cancer. Biopsy recommended.

Known biopsy-proven malignancy – Appropriate action should be taken

This category is only used for findings on a mammogram that have already been shown to be cancer by a previous biopsy. Mammograms may be used in this way to see how well the cancer is responding to treatment. Some cancers are often made to shrink using chemotherapy to later be removed by a surgeon.

Information from ACR, American College of Radiology, and the American Cancer Society.

Frequently asked questions

Did you know?

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) adds that women who have had breast cancer and those who are at increased risk due to a genetic history of breast cancer should seek expert medical advice about whether they should begin screening before age 40 and about the frequency of screening.

Digital mammography is a mammography system in which the x-ray film is replaced by solid-state detectors that convert x-rays into electrical signals. These detectors are similar to those found in digital cameras. The electrical signals are used to produce images of the breast that can be seen on a computer screen. Full field digital mammography is now considered the gold standard due to resolution being so much better than any other past screening method.

Do not wear deodorant, talcum powder or lotion under your arms or on your breasts on the day of the exam. These can appear on the mammogram as calcium spots. Describe any breast symptoms or problems to the technologist performing the exam. If possible, obtain prior mammograms and make them available to the radiologist at the time of the current exam.

Mammography is performed on an outpatient basis. During mammography, a specially qualified mammography technologist will position your breast in the mammography unit. Your breast will be placed on a special platform and compressed with a paddle (often made of clear Plexiglas or other plastic). As soon as the image is taken, the compression is released. This means minimum discomfort for patients. The examination process should take about 10 minutes.

The Screening Mammogram uses 4 images, two of the right breast and two of the left breast. The radiologist can determine if a mammogram is negative or benign. Negative means that there are cysts or nodules that are not malignant.If the radiologist sees something on the mammogram that is questionable, a Diagnostic Mammogram may be recommended. The Diagnostic Mammogram is composed of additional images. The radiologist may order a magnification view or a compression view to see if the questionable abnormality disappears. If it remains, the radiologist may order a breast biopsy or another mammogram in 3 or 6 months. Additional imaging such as a Breast MRI may also be recommended depending on the mass seen.

You should have your first mammogram at age 40 and every year thereafter.If you are younger than 40, your doctor may send you for a mammogram if you have family history of breast cancer, a breast lump, or a positive genetic test called BRCA.Breast cancer does not care about how old you are.